African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has appealed to young people in South Africa to prioritize their education, emphasizing the availability of educational opportunities. "This is a message that we are spreading across; young people should take advantage of the education opportunities that we have and take their education seriously," Ramaphosa stated. He noted government initiatives such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for tertiary education and fee-free schools. Ramaphosa further encouraged all young people to complete their matriculation, regardless of personal challenges. "They must know that they can always go back to school and finish their education," he added.
Campaign Trail Concerns
President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke to journalists in Tembisa on the sidelines of the African National Congress’s election campaign in the area. During the event, residents of Tembisa voiced concerns regarding issues such as water shortages, widespread unemployment, and high electricity prices. Ramaphosa reiterated the government's commitment to educational support, stating, "We have NSFAS, which funds young people in tertiary education. We’ve got fee-free schools right now and there’s no reason why a young person in South Africa should not finish matric, even if they are ill, even if it’s a girl who falls pregnant, or even if it’s a young man who loses his way along the line. They must know that they can always go back to school and finish their education." His remarks came amidst the community's expression of socio-economic challenges.
Education as a National Project
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the ongoing unemployment crisis in South Africa but reiterated his stance that education must be prioritized as a national project. Ramaphosa emphasized the accessibility of educational pathways, stating, "We have NSFAS, which funds young people in tertiary education. We’ve got fee-free schools right now and there’s no reason why a young person in South Africa should not finish matric, even if they are ill, even if it’s a girl who falls pregnant, or even if it’s a young man who loses his way along the line." He affirmed that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) specifically provides funding for young people pursuing tertiary education. Ramaphosa further showed the importance of completing schooling, irrespective of personal setbacks. "They must know that they can always go back to school and finish their education," he added, advocating for continuous engagement with the education system for all young individuals.
Opportunities and Support Systems
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged young people to utilize the educational opportunities available to them, emphasizing the government's commitment to supporting their academic journeys. Ramaphosa noted the existence of fee-free schools as part of these provisions. "We have NSFAS, which funds young people in tertiary education. We’ve got fee-free schools right now and there’s no reason why a young person in South Africa should not finish matric, even if they are ill, even if it’s a girl who falls pregnant, or even if it’s a young man who loses his way along the line. They must know that they can always go back to school and finish their education," Ramaphosa stated. He stressed that these initiatives aim to ensure continuous access to education, regardless of personal circumstances.
